Gotta have it 🎊

Hello there! Everyone’s got that holiday must-have. The one thing you can’t live without this time of year. Maybe it’s a certain blanket, a special hot cocoa mug, or that sparkly number you wear every New Year’s Eve. For me, it’s a Christmas Eve deli spread with my great grandma’s macaroni salad.

Today, we’re sharing our FamilyMade team’s holiday must-haves…and we hope it inspires you to go indulge in your favorite seasonal treats! You deserve it.

—Lindsay

Our answer: We gave you the rundown on all things holiday traditions in our last newsletter (it’s here if you missed it!). But when it comes to holiday food? We have to make sure we cover all our bases. Time to double down.

Shawn and Andrew said their family Christmas spread usually includes a ham, pumpkin pie, and other delicious sides brought together potluck style (it’s an Ina Garten-approved party format and it’s a blast, if we do say so ourselves). And if you follow Shawn, you know there's monkey bread in the mix come Christmas morning!

Break for really cute East family content: Back when Drew was a newborn, Shawn, Andrew, and Shawn’s mom (you know her and love her) made this holiday cooking hacks video that gets us every time.

So once you master Shawn’s favorite holiday recipes, what else could you bring to the table?

• O’s favorites. Oprah is known for her favorite things, and holiday recipes are no exception. Check out these holiday menus that cover everything from cranberries to a gorgeous southern-style spread.

• Appy holidays. This could be a groundbreaking idea…what about an all-apps holiday party? Kick the giant meal prep to the curb in favor of snacks and small bites all night? I may adopt this, starting with these 62 ideas.

• Kids table. A combination of yummy treats and healthy snacks will keep the little ones balanced during all the excitement. Check out some easy recipes.

Our answer: Just because you’re toasting with Moët and they’re toasting with Martinelli’s doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a special and exciting NYE with your kids.

I’d bet the biggest question you have for the little ones is staying up to see the clock strike 12. You’ve got two options: 1) push bedtime for this one special night or 2) get creative. Luckily, there are tons of resources to help with that second one.

Our favorite? Streamable NYE countdowns for kids—which let you do the big countdown any time that works for you (and your bedtime routine). From PBS Kids to Motown, here are a few good ones to stream.

You could also make NYE less about watching the ball drop and more about fun family time—some ideas?

• Do a family game night…piñatas, anyone?

• Conduct a (plastic) fancy glass juice toast

• Take an evening stroll

• Dance party! (This is always an option, no matter the night)

• Balloons, baby! (Give your toddler a balloon and enjoy at least 20 minutes of quiet time for yourself. Thank me later!)

New Year’s Eve can be as hyped up or as low key as you want. It might not look like it did when you were 19, but hey…isn’t that kind of nice? Now you won’t wake up on January 1 with a headache and a rash from a sequin body con dress.

Submit a question to be featured in a future Q&A here.

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Celebrity traditions. Steal these ideas and enjoy a celeb-endorsed “must-do” holiday season.

Nothin’ for Christmas?! It’s true. Drew Barrymore recently shared that she doesn’t give her kids Christmas presents. What she does instead? Seems like a fair trade, TBH.

Holiday Bake-Off. I confess, one of my new favorite comfort shows is The Great British Baking Show. BUT I stumbled across this American edition featuring celebrities (including Marshawn Lynch, which is ultimately why I pressed play) baking. Find it, watch it, you won’t be disappointed. 

If you have a small (or large) victory, tip, or trick, hit reply and you may be included in an upcoming newsletter!

So much fun…Reading about all of your own family traditions has been so fun and special. Keep ‘em coming! We’re happy to be part of your troop. Until next time. ✌️